Pullu Devi Temple, Thrissur, Kerala

Pulluvan Paattu is serpent worship performed in the houses of the lower castes as well as those of the higher castes, in addition to serpent temples. The pulluvar of Kerala are closely connected to the serpent worship. One group considers the snake gods their presiding deity and perform sacrifices and sing songs.

A Pulluvan is a male member (female Pulluvatti) of a low caste group called Pulluvar.

pulluva pattu

The term pullu means a bird of omen. The term pulluvan must have meant ‘a person who predicts from the sound of birds’. There are many sub-divisions in the Pulluva community. The majority among them are called Nagampatikal (people who sing snake-songs). There are pulluvars who are not Naagampatikal. They are known as Pretampatikal (people who sing ghost songs). The women of the house where the ritual takes place performs the serpent dance (Sarpam Thullal) at the Mulluthara Devi Temple.